Woven-Knit Apparatus For Container Utensil Counterpart

ABSTRACT

An encasement apparatus is positioned around a glass jar or other container utensil counterpart, closed at an end and having an adjoined handle-like portion, but not limited to, for hand(s) to snugly slip beneath. The encasement apparatus is woven-knit formed of fabric-like material, whereby appropriating as an enrobed structure therearound the container counterpart. The apparatus is re-usable, durable, washable, and facilitates function, comfort, and aesthetic appeal as well as a degree of insulation if container counterpart contains hot or cold contents, during intended use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of U.S. Patent No. 61/632,917 filed on Feb. 2, 2012 which is incorporated herein after.

PRIOR ART

U.S. Patent Documents

1,020,269 March 1912 Domnick Protective Envelop For Glass Receptacles 2,035,384 January 1936 Hinchcliff Textile Jacket for Household Utensils and Other Articles 4,196,534 April 1980 Shibamoto Plastic Net Bag And Label 4,293,015 October 1981 McGough Insulated Beverage Cozy 4,514,995 May 1985 Curtis et al. Knit Cover For Beverage Container 5,415,305 May 1995 Drake-Tipton Insulating Sleeve For A Beverage Pitcher 5,425,497 June 1995 Sorensen Cup Holder 6,464,100 October 2002 Canfield Container Insulator 6,655,543 December 2003 Beuke Highly Adaptable Thermal Insulator For Adapting To An Unprecedented Range Of Sizes And Shapes Of Beverage Containers 10/798,324 March 2004 Hogan Insulated Beverage Holder With Handle 11/300,791 December 2005 Mace Drink Sleeve

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is most closely associated to the concept of containers with a second layer, such as insulated containers. More particularly, the invention relates to the use as an encasement apparatus for container utensils, becoming the apparatus' container counterpart, whereby the present invention may act as an insulator while also providing unique aesthetics and function. Herein, the present invention relates generally to its use as an implement for a container counterpart, namely a glass jar container utensil, but not limited to, with the intended use for hosting various items which may include but are not limited to beverages and food, or the like, in said jar with the present invention therearound.

2. Description of Prior Art

There are similar prior art article products. There is the notable to-go cup sleeve or ‘Java Jacket,’ U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,497, which is a paperboard sleeve for conical disposable cups used in coffee shops and restaurants and other industries that use such disposable products or ‘to-go’ containers as well as non-disposable conical cups used for hot beverages and in which the ‘Java Jacket’ may fit around. These paper sleeves are intended to protect the hands from the heat of the beverage within the cup. There has also been cloth sleeves identical to the disposable cup sleeve for said conical cups with intention of lessening waste, contrary to the added waste of the disposable cup sleeve. The field of related art encompasses the manufacturing of other container sleeves and holders for various types of containers, for example, the various versions of the neoprene beverage can holders and related prior art, catering to condensation and duration in which the beverage stays cold. However, these are bulky, difficult to clean, require a chemical process to produce, and are not very durable or attractive.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/798,324, is a type of aforementioned beverage can holders, made of a foamed polyurethane and neoprene, synthetic polymers, with a strap to securely hold the beverage holder to a hand. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/798,324 has a single, wide, protruding ‘strap’ intended for logos if desired, while the present preferred embodiment has one or multiple taut, handle-like portions. Further examination of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/798,324 discloses that the claimed holder is solely cylindrical in shape and intended to cater to beverages in a can, making the holder not only feature the use of synthetic polymers to create a cylindrical form, but as a result of it's intended use, also creates avoidable waste from production methods and the single use can. The beverage can holder also has a bottom that is only at least partially sealed, differentiating it from the present preferred embodiment with its closed end. Furthermore, while the intended yarn or fabric-like materials comprising the present preferred embodiment greatly differs from that of the synthetic polymers of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/798,324, the process of creating said embodiments are very distinct from one another. The methods encompassed by ‘woven-knit’ of the present invention imparts an entirely different field of art from that of creating and combining synthetic polymers such as the foamed polyurethane and neoprene of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/798,324. Additionally, the intended use of the present preferred embodiment is therearound a glass jar container counterpart intended to preferably promote the use of glass, lessen waste, and cater to the use for many contents within jar, rather than just a beverage and/or can. Full detail of the present preferred embodiment and mention of the disadvantages of synthetic polymers and other common materials as well as added waste of such and others is further expanded hereafter.

While waste has become an issue on the subject of added sleeves and apparatuses for container utensils and disposable containers, the conventional materials used in the present field of art have begun to raise alarming issues regarding production and use of said materials. Such items of said materials include, for example, plastic containers, aluminum containers, and paper containers as well as the accessories purchased to cater to such, such as lids and straws, often containing synthetic polymers. The present preferred embodiment is an alternative, novel, and highly marketable solution to many of the issues in this field of art, further expanded upon to follow.

The conventional materials used in the present field of art pose various health and environmental issues of which consumers are quickly becoming aware. Such knowledge is gained through scientific studies, observation, and direct experience. As time advances, technology develops and medical and technological findings and statistics reveal that most said conventional materials are both harmful to the environment and humans. Plastics, metals, and papers are linked to pollution of the environment from waste and or toxic byproducts, unethical production for lower production costs and retail pricing, and health risks from chemical substances, affecting individuals involved in production and/or use of said product by means of chemical ‘leaching’ or the like. Consequently, alternatives are being more commonly created and used to aid and/or avoid the aforementioned issues. Above are facts engendered by business professionals, scientists, and doctors, of which such information is quickly becoming public knowledge, delineated below.

Said environmental and health issues include, but are not limited to; polymers (plastics) and polystyrene (e.g. Styrofoam), which biodegrade over thousands of years and sometimes contain lead and other harmful toxins and can leach such chemical toxins known to cause illnesses in humans (e.g. various cancers), they are often made from petrochemicals, which is connected to various global issues such as oil drilling and ozone depletion, as well as creating potentially harmful byproducts known to contaminate air and groundwater and be lethal to animals if ingested in quantities; and paper, which often has synthetic coatings and which is linked to deforestation and environmental and economic issues due to depletion of trees and thus ecosystems. There are numerous materials used for items in the relates field of art and only a few have been mentioned to best construe some of the more prominent disadvantages of related prior art.

The use of polystyrene and polymers for container utensils have been banned in some cities or, due to consumer demand, has significantly decreased in use. As a result, many businesses have reverted to using paper cups to alleviate the concerns regarding the harmful leaching properties of many plastics as well as the concerns of non-biodegradable materials. Though paper generally does not pose health risks like polymers do, paper often has synthetic coatings of such or is often chemically died or bleached, using more resources.

The expense for a coffee shop to purchase paper cups and the plastic and paper accessories with them at a rate of, for instance, approximately 25¢ a cup, amounts to approximately $50 a day at a rate of 200 customers a day. Furthermore, in addition to the energy costs to produce and transport paper cups as well as other accessories not included in above rudimentary outline, there are hundreds of thousands of dollars in hidden costs that are payed in order for the significant amounts of waste to be picked up and processed. All businesses paying for trash service contribute to the collective waste, and thus it is not only the establishment that produces this waste of disposable items paying the taxes for the high amounts of waste.

Furthermore, producing paper cups and other paper materials means that large areas of trees are cut down and forests are ultimately destroyed to do so. Deforestation and depletion of resources is considered unsustainable and is and will only continue to contribute to the global and economic hardships. Trees combat CO2 emissions by producing oxygen, and as their numbers decrease, the amounts of CO2 emissions incline, affecting the climate, environment, and ecosystems in dangerous ways.

Due to the demand against the use of synthetic polymers and other materials such as paper, it is becoming increasingly popular for an individual to bring their own container utensil item to host, say, their beverage at a coffee shop. In doing so, this often means that the individual knows the quality and safety of their container material of choice and/or are choosing to make a conscientious effort to decrease their waste footprint, by not using the disposable items offered by the business in which they are making their purchases from.

The present preferred embodiment has been created specifically in conjunction with the recent growing consciousness of the mentioned issues above as well as the popular demand of alternative materials and ways in which to decrease use of and waste of the explained conventional materials. Glass is the forefront of the upcoming popular material for container utensils. Glass is made from sustainable, natural, raw materials and is completely recyclable, with no loss in quality or purity and has no additional waste or byproducts in the process of recycling. For every 10% of glass recycled in the glass making process, costs drop 2%-3%, saving a significant amount of energy, and thus lessoning the energy demand as well as cutting CO2 emissions. Glass maintains the purity of food and beverage or the like when stored therein, as well as preserving the contents' integrity. The Food and Drug Administration also rate glass as Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS).

The present invention relates most closely to U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,995 in that said related art is a knitted elastic yarn apparatus for a bottle, or similar container, intended as a cover for appeal and versatility and with elastic yarn in a rib-knitted form to enable the apparatus to fit therearound many sizes of bottles and the such. The knitted yarn characteristic of related art U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,995 may potentially have a slightly similar basic texture as the present invention due to the practicable material, however the aesthetic quality of the present invention substantially differs from the stretchability, form, and outwardly bulging band characteristic of U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,995.

Moreover, the aesthetic rib knitted design of U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,995 looks entirely different in appearance from the present invention in that the present invention is of a dissimilar make with a specific woven, knit quality technique adding to its distinct aesthetic characteristics. As such, the present invention is not elastic and is intended with exacting fit towards its glass jar container counterpart. Further differentiating the present invention is the handle-like portion feature or features. The handle-like portion is characterized by its tightly crafted form for a snug fit; rather than protruding from the apparatus to create space for the hand(s), the woven-knit handle-like feature is carefully crafted to juxtapose the outer side wall of the apparatus and with little to no stretchability, allowing the hand to slip securely beneath it, maintaining the form and function of the present invention apparatus. The present invention has a resolute, closed end and side wall form to compliment the comfort of handling its glass jar container counterpart, rather than the versatile elastic quality of most closely related and delineated prior art. Conventional glass jars are commonly with a cylindrical circumference and vertical in shape, for example the prevalent Mason Jar commonly used for canning, whereby the present invention is intended as the supplemental form thereof. Further mention of the benefits of an apparatus intended for the use of said glass jars and other prior art will be described in the following description thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention is embodied as a woven-knit material form, closed at an end and having a handle-like portion, but not limited to a single handle or with a single angle or origin of attachment, while not compromising the spirit and scope of the invention. The said apparatus acts as an encasement for a utensil container counterpart. The form of the preferred embodiment is supplemental specifically to glass jar utensil containers, but is not limited to use solely with a glass jar container and whereby the apparatus is a respective enrobed structure therearound. Said glass jar utensil container counterpart may occupy various items which may include but is not limited to, beverages and food, or the like, whereby the present invention acts as a supplemental apparatus and/or thermal insulator providing function, comfort, and aesthetic. Further advantages and components of the present invention will be better construed from the following detailed description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference hereinafter will be made to the accompanying drawings wherein, for the purpose to best construe the spirit and concepts of the invention, a hand drawn portrayal of the present invention has been chosen to depict the visual concepts, and whereby a round, vertical, cylindrical container counterpart has been chosen to compliment the size of the woven-knit apparatus. The reference numerals throughout the accompanying FIGURES denote the framework of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a cylindrical container with a woven-knit encasement having a handle-like portion tautly positioned against the vertical sidewalls of said cylindrical container.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the woven-knit apparatus with the handle-like portion being utilized in its intended field of use with a cylindrical container inserted therein.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the woven-knit apparatus with a vertical handle-like portion attached to the both upper and lowermost vertical portions of the encasement. Note that with the one handle-like portion at either the right or left side of the FIGURE, the view is the same.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a cylindrical container counterpart being inserted into the woven-knit apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the woven-knit apparatus showing the flat, closed end.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the relative thickness of the woven-knit sidewalls and bottom of the apparatus as well as the respective intended fit with the sidewalls of the container counterpart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An exemplary embodiment according to this invention, referring to the collective FIGURES, is depicted as being positioned around a cylindrical utensil container 20. The encasement is formed of a woven-knit material 14, namely fabric-like, such as yarn. The preferred embodiment is intended for the use as an implement particularly for cylindrical, or related, glass jars 22 ranging in size from approximately 6 oz to 128 oz, but more commonly 8 oz to 32 oz glass jars and with the widths between 2″-20″ and heights of approximately 2.5″-25″, respectively. The glass container sizes may vary in shape and ratio, and whereby the scope of the container counterpart is not limited so long as the present invention may fit therearound or as such, accommodate desired usage by the owner of the exemplary embodiment.

The present invention illustrated by the collective FIGURES is cylindrical in shape and closed at an end 16 in FIG. 5. The apparatus compliments the shape of the glass jar 22 container counterpart 20 and whereby prevents a degree of slippage of the glass jar inserted therein shown in FIG. 4, having a snug fit, shown in FIG. 6, and during use depicted in FIG. 2. The handle-like portion 12 may also be used in the more conventional form with the forefingers and thumb positioned solely around the handle-like portion to support the apparatus.

It is to be known that the term ‘woven-knit’ is used for verbal use to best describe the scope of the field of art in which the present invention is crafted. The term reflects the defined spectrum the terms ‘woven’ and ‘knit’ imply as a summation encompassing processes such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, or the like, but not limited to, or by machine to produce the same, or combination of the such, respectively depicted in the collective FIGURES as 14. Similarly, those skilled in the field of this art can easily produce and craft the present invention and fully retain the concepts and principles, due to the nature of the field of art of the preferred embodiment. It is intended that there be a relative thickness 28 to the woven-knit material 14 respectively depicted in FIG. 6, in order to achieve the principals embodied by the present invention, however, depending on the material used to construct the woven-knit apparatus 10, thickness may vary.

The accompanying FIGURES have been hand-illustrated from a woven-knit apparatus made by hand using a standard 6.50 mm sized crochet hook to best compliment the thickness of the yarn used. The apparatus is fitted around a standard 16 oz ‘Wide-mouth Mason Jar’ to date. An effective exemplary stitch referenced by existing descriptions is commonly referred to as the ‘half stitch’, which respectively mimics a common aesthetic characteristic of knitting, but may also combine other types of stitches. The collective FIGURES illustrate an exemplary embodiment crocheted beginning at the closed end 16, spiraling outwards creating a flat bottom and then continuing upward in the same spiraling form to create the sidewalls. A single handle-like portion or portion adjacent the apparatus may be created beginning from the closed 16 end upwards then adjoined at the other end, or conversely. Due to the unprecedented various “stitches” and methods of making and manufacturing the same, it is to be valued that other such ‘woven-knit’ methods or combination of such and methods of creating the present invention may also be used to harness specific designs and other desired characteristics as well as the potential spectrum of means of manufacture for any given case. Methods of creation and combinations of such may include, but are not limited to crocheting, knitting, weaving, passive or electrical machine.

The woven-knit material 14 comprising the preferred embodiment 10 is namely that of yarn. More specifically, the material 14 is intended for a respective conforming fit around the glass jar counterpart depicted in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 6, whereby either the material 14 used is not elastic or the type of stitching does not have an excessively elastic quality so as to create a sturdy form thereof. Notable materials may be that of, for example, wool, alpaca, cotton, bamboo, or the like, but not limited to. Similarly, the exemplary embodiment is not limited to being comprised of a single material and as such, various combinations of the scope of aforementioned materials or others may be used for a single apparatus, but not limited to.

Illustrated in FIG. 2, during use the woven-knit material 14 protects the hand(s) 26 if contents of the glass jar 22 container counterpart of FIG. 4 are, for example, a hot beverage or the like, while then also providing a degree of thermal insulation by the degree of thickness 28 and material 14. Similarly, the apparatus provides a degree of insulation for a cold beverage whereby also catering to condensation thereof. The combination of the respective snug fit around the glass jar depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 and the woven-knit material 14 aids a relative no-slip quality in handling as well as preventing breakage, to a degree, in which the glass jar 22 and its supplemental apparatus 10 are handled and managed.

The present invention also has a handle-like portion, or adjacent portion taut along the sidewall to act as a grasping component and/or partial covering to slip one's hand(s) beneath for secure handling of apparatus during intended use. The apparatus' handle-like portion, but not limited to, is shown in the various FIGURES denoted as 12, along the outer wall of the embodiment 10. The handle-like portion 12 featured allows one's hand to easily slip beneath said portion 24 shown in FIG. 2 into ultimate handling comfort; ideally with the thumb and forefingers wrapped around the cylindrical part of the apparatus 10 around the cylindrical container counterpart 20, but not limited to. The handle-like portion may my also operate with one's hands solely gripping said portion 12. Similarly, the present invention may also have more than one handle-like portions or adjoining portion(s) attaching to the apparatus at different origins and angles without compromising the concepts and principles of the spirit of the invention.

The woven-knit material 14 comprising the apparatus 10 is washable whereby prolonging it's re-usability, durability, and thus, use. The preferred embodiment 10 is highly portable due to the relative flexible nature of the woven-knit material 14, whereby being efficiently compactable for storage and shipping as well as having a significant lightweight especially when no container utensil counterpart is being used therein. In its intended field of use depicted in FIG. 2, and as described above, the preferred embodiment 10 provides function and comfort in handling of the glass jar container counterpart 20 and 22, which the invention 10 is placed therearound.

Recently, it is being observed that individuals are now bringing glass Mason jars or others as mugs to, for example, a coffee shop, rather than using the provided plastic or paper cups, or plastic and metal mugs in which the various accompanying FIGURES denote the exemplary framework a glass-jar-as-mug may operate in its field of use. Ergo, the present invention may be at use whereby the glass jar 22 as mug counterpart 20 is hosting hot coffee or tea or the like, from a coffee shop, in which the woven-knit material 14 acts as a thermal beverage insulator. The present invention 10 easily slips on and off of the glass jar, depicted in FIG. 4 with or without contents, also allowing an effortless transaction and ease of transportation especially when using the re-usable screw-on lid many glass jars have.

When acting as an insulator, one's hands 28 of FIG. 2, are protected from the hot glass in its intended field of use 24, while enjoying the benefits of using glass 22 in FIG. 4. Having a closed end 16 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the present invention provides stability in handling with it's snug fit shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 with the container counterpart 20. Other benefits of the woven-knit glass jar apparatus 14 include it being reusable, washable, and durable. The apparatus 10 is pleasant to hold not only from the taut handle(s)-like feature 12 and woven-knit material 14, but also from the aesthetic appeal from the chosen colors and features by the owner of the unique woven-knit 14 enrobed glass jar 22 sleeve 10, a statement in itself of an individual's new economical and environmental consciousness, with novel style and function.

Having described the concepts and principles of the design of the present invention, it is to be valued that those skilled in the field of this art can reproduce the preferred embodiment and may make any of the many potential minor modifications without altering or compromising the concepts and principles embodied in the spirit of the invention herein. Hence, it is intended that the scope of the invention only be limited to the extent of the indicated claims. 

What I claim:
 1. An apparatus comprised of; (a) a woven-knit material comprised of; (i) fabric-like strands, namely yarn, but not limited to and; (ii) whereby woven-knit refers broadly to the processes of potential manners of making, encompassing related processes in the field of art such as crocheting, knitting, sewing, and by machine, but not limited to, in order to create a woven formation of interlacing, by nature of the spectrum the terms ‘woven’ and ‘knit’ imply individually and dependently with one another and; (iii) whereby said woven-knit material forms an apparatus that is closed at an end, but not limited to and; (iv) whereby the woven-knit material is relatively non-elastic, respectively appropriating an inelastic apparatus composition whence created, while not necessarily affecting flexibility.
 2. An apparatus for receiving a utensil container comprised of woven-knit material comprising; (a) an adjoined handle-like portion, but not limited to and; (b) means of design of at least one of said handle-like portions is dimensioned to appropriate as a characteristic of apparatus function and handling during intended use.
 3. An apparatus as in claim 2, whereby said woven-knit apparatus with adjoined handle-like portion, but not limited to, is intended therearound a glass jar container counterpart, but is not limited solely to receiving a glass utensil container and herein, other or no container counterparts may be inserted therein and whereby; (a) the size of the apparatus varies to accommodate proportions for various container counterparts. 